Note: I do not own Mortal Kombat, etc…. Just in case you don't figure it out, this story is basically taking place at the same time as Chapter 27. The time difference is being caused by the stories taking place in two different realms.

Chapter 28: Cancerous Rage

(Trading Post)

Taja hummed tunelessly as she prepared the store for another day of business. She turned to get a box of goods and walked right into a frowning Rayden.

"Where is she?" Rayden demanded.

Instead of answering, Taja tapped loudly on the table and said, "This is knocking. It shouldn't be too hard even for you to learn how to do." She walked around the thunder god and picked up a box off the ground. Lighting flickered in Rayden's eyes and Taja continued to placed knick knacks on the table, "If you're asking about Althea, she and Siro left early this morning. They should be back some time tomorrow or the next day."

Kung Lao then came outside and seeing Rayden asked, "Is there anything wrong?"

Without a word Rayden vanished with a crack of angry sounding thunder. Taja sighed with relief; an angry thunder god wasn't the most comfortable person to be around. Kung Lao picked up another box and help her set the items on the table. "He was asking about Althea, wasn't he?" the monk asked.

Taja snorted as the returned the empty box to the ground. "What is it with him? He tells us we have to act and think on our own, but when we do he gets angry, "Taja said and then shrugged, "Guess that's a god for you."

Kung Lao frowned at Taja's generalization of deities, but didn't say anything. Considering the gods that have made their presence known to them, he really couldn't blame her. Taja continued talking as she straightens out the goods, "Any plans while your student is away?"

An uncharacteristic evil smile appeared on Kung Lao's face as he replied, "Actually, I was thinking about your recent lack of training. It seems that since Althea showed up we have been neglecting your martial arts practice. I figure that this is good chance to see how far behind you have fallen and try to see if we could make up for lost time."

"What! I..I need to run the store, "Taja stammered.

"The store is secondary, "Kung Lao replied, "That was the agreement when you started it. I'm not saying you have to completely close up, just that you will start spending part of you day training."

Thinking fast, Taja asked, "But what about when they return, you won't have time…"

"Siro is taking over Althea's weapons training, "Kung Lao said with a smile and a shrug, "He's better at blades than I am, and it will leave me with plenty of time to see to your training. We'll start this afternoon."

(Outworld)

A dark-green clad warrior knelt down before the Emperor of Outworld. His people have suffered greatly due to his predecessor's treachery and he was now the last hope of his reptilian race. Painal waited patiently for his orders.

Shao Kahn looked down at the masked creature kneeling before him. This one seemed wiser than the former leader of the Zatterians, or more afraid. It didn't matter, so long as what remained of that treacherous race served his needs, he would let them survive…for now. With a slight growl, Kahn spoke, "I have summoned you to perform a small task for me. Take this and place it in the one known as Taja's room." A shadow priest stepped forward and handed a small bag to the kneeling warrior. Painal took the bag without looking up and carefully placed it within his armor. "You are not to be seen, "Kahn continued, "If you fail, you and your entire race will pay the price. Now go."

Painal stood up and quickly left to do his master's bidding. Kuravan appeared from behind the Emperor's throne. "Why the woman?" he asked, "I assumed that the champion would be your target."

The Emperor leaned back into his throne and answered, "It matters not if Kung Lao survives. What matters is that no one from Earthrealm wins the next tournament. Break the spirit, break the fighter."

"I see, "said Kuravan finally understanding, "You seek to destroy his will to fight, by using those he cares most for. That might work if no one figures out who sent that little…gift."

"Just keep your part of the plan, "Kahn growled, "Rayden is distracted while the she-mage is gone and Fujin is too inexperienced to detect the curse."

Kuravan toyed with a small crystal in his hand and said, "Oh don't worry. Even if she does survive, without this she is not returning to Earthrealm any time soon."

(Trading Post)

That evening Taja slowly made her way upstairs to her room. As much as she hated to admit it, today's practice proved that Kung Lao was right about her needing to re-start her training. In her room, she changed her clothes and prepared for bed. Even the hot bath Kung Lao was kind enough to prepare for her wasn't enough to get rid of the aches and she knew she was going to feel it even more tomorrow. With a groan she fell into bed and fell asleep.

When only the sound of deep sleep could be heard, a greenish outline of a large lizard appeared on the wall next to her door. The outline solidified into the form of Painal. The warrior quietly crossed the room and placed the small sack under the red-head's bed. Taja mumbled slightly in her sleep as he quickly and quietly left the room.

Morning came as Kung Lao prepared himself another mug of tea. With both Althea and Siro gone, he and Taja had to split the night-watch. Last night was his turn and tonight would be Taja's. He was more than happy that the two of them agreed that Taja's training would be in the afternoon, so he would be able to get some sleep before having to see to his friend's training. Kung Lao turned towards the stairs when he heard Taja coming down. He handed her the hot tea and said, "Morning."

With a growl, Taja grabbed the mug. The sudden movement caused the hot liquid to splash, burning her hand. With a choice word she dropped the mug, and it crashed on the floor. Taking a few calming breaths she said, "Sorry" as she knelt down to start picking up the broken pieces.

Kung Lao grabbed a towel to help clean up the mess and asked, "You okay?"

Taja shook her head and said, "Not really. I woke up with this headache and it's making me a little grouchy…I guess."

Looking a little closer, Kung Lao could see the pained look on the woman's face. With concern he said, "Why don't you go back to bed and try to sleep it off. I'll see if there is any willow bark."

As she dumped the shards in the trash she sighed, "Thanks."

A few minutes later, Kung Lao knocked on her bedroom door with a steaming mug of willow bark tea in his hand. There was no answer and he cracked the door open slightly. He saw that Taja was fast asleep. Quietly he entered her room and placed the mug on the small table next to her bed. The monk noticed that even in her sleep she had a pained look. Seeing the pain she was in was starting to give him a headache as well. He left the room and carefully closed the door behind him.

Later that night, Kung Lao rested peacefully in his darkened room. The door opened with a quiet creak. Taja stood in the open doorway with her loaded crossbow aimed directly at the sleeping monk. She just stood there for a few moments and then slowly lowered her crossbow. "What am I doing?" she mumbled as she turned and walked away from the door. As soon as Taja was out of view, Kung Lao sat up in his bed with a worried look on his face.

A few minutes later, Taja carefully aimed and fired her crossbow into a target she had set up earlier in the courtyard. The target was riddled with holes and bolts from when she had used it earlier that evening. The headache was gone but the anger and rage only increased. The anger was now mixed with fear. How the hell did she find herself about ready to kill Kung Lao? After loading the crossbow again, she fired with deadly accuracy.

At the exact moment, the bolt hit home Fujin appeared next to the target. Whistling in admiration, he said, "Not bad…Hope that isn't meant to be me."

"No, "Taja said with a cold tone, "But that can change."

The cold anger in Taja's voice caused Fujin's eyebrow to rise as he said, "Not you too. First Rayen is off fuming and now you're making a pincushion out this poor target. What's wrong?"

"Just leave…me…, "Taja fired again just barely missing Fujin who didn't flinch, "alone."

Fujin just stared at her for a few seconds and then vanished. Once he was gone, Taja took a deep breath in the hopes that it would calm her. Rubbing her forehead, she placed the crossbow on top of a closed barrel as she entered the trading post. Conflicting emotions of rage, fear and worry flickered across her face as she gripped the edge of the kitchen counter.

"Taja, "said Kung Lao as he entered the kitchen, "Is everything alright?"

The second she heard the monk's voice, total rage overcame her. Taja grabbed one of the large knives and slashed the air where Kung Lao once stood. The monk dodged the attack and caught the red-head's wrist. Taja kneed him in the groin, forcing the monk to let go. Then with skill and speed that was not apparent in the day's practice, she attacked.

Hindered by not wanting to hurt his friend, Kung Lao fought to defend himself. As quickly as she started, Taja stopped attacking and threw the knife across the room away from Kung Lao. With fear and pleading in her eyes, she cried, "Stop me!"

The rage returned and as Taja ran to attack again, this time with her bare hands. Kung Lao dodged again and knocked Taja out with a quick blow to the back her head. "Sorry, "he said as he caught her before she fell to the floor.

As he was carrying her to the closest bedroom, Rayden appeared. "What happened?" the thundergod asked.

"Taja just tried to kill me, "answered Kung Lao as he placed Taja on the guest room's bed, "Why…I have no idea."

Rayden gently pushed Kung Lao out of the way to get a better look at the woman. His eyes flashed gently as he looked into Taja's soul. "This is bad, "Rayden said,"When did she start acting violently?"

"This morning, "Kung Lao answered, "She nearly bit my head off when I said good morning."

Rayden sat on the corner of the bed and picked up Taja's hand. "Search her room, "he ordered, "See if you can find anything that doesn't belong. If you do find anything, don't touch it. Just let me know."

"What are you …"Kung Lao started to ask.

Rayden interrupted, answering the unfinished question, "Her very soul is being eaten and replaced by something dark. Only someone familiar with arts forbidden by the Elder Gods eons ago would be able to create such a curse. I intend to remove it."

Just outside of the room, the faint, green outline of a lizard flickered and in its place the green clad warrior, Painal, appeared. Overhearing Rayden's order, he quickly made his way upstairs into Taja's room. Just as he was grabbing the hidden pouch, he heard a woman's voice, "You really should be more careful."

Without looking, Painal swung to attack in the direction of the voice. As he did, a fist flew right past the attack and struck him hard in the throat. He fell back to the floor grabbing his throat, trying to breath. Looking up with watery eyes, he saw a white haired woman wearing clothes similar to his only in black and gray rather than shades of green. Her cold hard, crystal blue eyes glared down at him from above the mask she wore. "Like I said, "she continued as she pointed to the door, "You really should be more careful."

Painal looked at the door and saw Kung Lao's foot frozen in place on its way down to finish a step. "I do believe the Emperor's orders were not to be seen," the woman said.

Painal stood and asked, "You work for Kahn?"

"No...,"the woman said as her eyes flickered angrily,"Let's just say I need a message delivered and you're the best one to do it."

(Downstairs)

Hours later, Rayden tiredly left a now peacefully sleeping Taja. Not even bothering with teleporting, he walked into the kitchen and sat down with a sigh. How long has it been since he seen such a curse? If Fujin hadn't threatened to kick his butt, Taja would have been destroyed…replaced by a monster set to destroy everyone she held dear.

Rayden wasn't looking forward to reporting to the Elder Gods what happened this night. Not only was the Earth's Champion of Mortal Kombat threatened, a forbidden curse that shouldn't even exist anymore was used, while the Sworn Protector of this realm was off… sulking.

(Outworld)

Shao Kahn, the Emperor of Outworld sat on his throne considering the words that his servant, Painal, delivered to him. The same warrior knelt before the emperor waiting for his and his entire race's fate to be determined. "Leave, "Kahn ordered, "You and your people have been spared…this time."

The moment Painal left the room, Kuravan appeared once again. "You let him live?"

With a cruel, short laugh Kahn answered, "Of course. His race will prove useful again and no one can hide from that one."

Kuravan turned and asked, "You know of the white haired woman he spoke of?"

"She's proved…informative in the past, "Kahn answered, "If what she says is true, we have more important matters to deal with than a champion and a godslayer."

The End…

Next Time on Mortal Kombat: Conquest…..

A white, almost glowing paw struck Lilith hard between her wings. The second she hit the ground she rolled to face her attacker. The paw landed and covered most of her torso. ":You are not welcomed here:" said a voice in her head.